Cricket: Southee to make comeback tomorrow

Tim Southee will make his much-anticipated return to cricket
tomorrow when he plays for Northern Districts at his home
ground in Whangarei in the Plunket Shield match against
Wellington.

Southee missed the tour of South Africa firstly for the birth
of his first child and then a thumb injury and it's hoped he
will come through unscathed and be fit to play the three
tests against England starting in Dunedin on March 6.

He had an excellent last six months in international cricket
before injuring his left thumb in a Plunket Shield match
against Wellington at the Basin Reserve in December.

The 24-year-old needed surgery after he tore the ligaments in
his thumb when he jammed it into the ground diving to field a
ball. He spent two weeks in a cast and then time in a splint
before some low-level bowling about five weeks after surgery.

He has been in and around the New Zealand cricket team in the
past week as they monitor his progress but the biggest test
will be how he goes in the Plunket Shield match.

Corey Anderson, who also missed New Zealand's tour of South
Africa with a thumb injury, will also make his return
tomorrow.

In other games starting tomorrow, Otago host Auckland in
Dunedin and Canterbury take on Central Districts in Rangiora.
Central Districts hold a 13-point lead over Otago with
Northern Districts a further 20 points behind with two rounds
remaining.